Zendaya has come under scrutiny after wearing earrings made from nearly 3,000-year-old Iranian artefacts during a London photocall for The Odyssey.
The jewellery, reportedly originating from the ancient Ziwiye Hoard discovered in north-west Iran, was loaned by a Mayfair-based dealer. The gold plaques were later mounted with diamonds, transforming them into modern luxury accessories.
While the dealer described the pieces as a celebration of Persian craftsmanship, archaeologists and heritage experts raised serious concerns about provenance transparency and legality. A petition has been launched demanding full disclosure of the artefacts’ origin, ownership history and verification processes.
Experts warn that a large proportion of antiquities circulating in private markets may be illicit or lack proper documentation. Critics argue that even legally owned artefacts can raise ethical questions, particularly when tied to cultural heritage or potentially removed from burial sites.
The controversy has reignited wider debates about the global trade in ancient artefacts, where historical objects are often repurposed into high-end collectibles. Comparisons have also been drawn to disputes like the ownership of the Koh-i-Noor diamond, highlighting longstanding tensions over cultural property.
Despite the backlash, some experts note that celebrity attention can help bring visibility to issues of heritage protection and illicit antiquities trade.
